Parker, Spurs get past Howard's Magic
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Tony Parker had 31 points and 12 assists, leading San Antonio Spurs hold off the Orlando 111.
Tim Duncan added 21 points and 13 rebounds for the Spurs, who went 4-3 on a seven-game homestand. Manu Ginobili tallied 14 points.
Dwight Howard had 22 points and 12 boards after making headlines before the game. The All-Star center has reportedly informed Orlando that he will not waive his Early Termination Option. Thus, he would become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Jameer Nelson ended with 25 points and seven assists for the Magic, who had a three-game winning streak snapped. Ryan Anderson and Hedo Turkoglu donated 19 and 17 points, respectively.
The Magic raced out to an 18-8 lead, but the Spurs came back to take a 36-35 edge after 12 minutes of action.
Neither team led by more than four in the second period, which ended with San Antonio holding a 59-58 margin.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The game remained tight in the third stanza, but Ginobili made back-to-back three-pointers near the end of the quarter for an 87-82 Spurs lead. It was 89-84 heading to the fourth.
Trailing by one, 96-95, with 8:23 to play, the home team went on a 10-2 run. Parker tallied six points during the flurry, including a jumper with 5 1/2 minutes left for a 105-98 margin.
Parker scored 16 points on 6-of-7 shooting in the fourth frame to help preserve the victory.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Game Notes
The Spurs have won four of five over the Magic...San Antonio improved to 17-4 at home this season...Orlando sharpshooter Jason Richardson missed his third straight game with a sprained left ankle...The Spurs went 23-of-27 from the foul line, while the Magic went 10-of-16 from the charity stripe.